The arts season is trumpeted by fanfare and hoopla in the fall, but the meat of the season usually comes after the holidays are in the rearview.

In the coming weeks and months, local stages will host classic plays and musicals by the likes of Oscar Wilde, Rodgers and Hammerstein and William Shakespeare. The sounds of classically trained instrumentalists, award-winning singer/songwriters and country superstar Vince Gill (as part of The Time Jumpers) will fill area auditoriums and music halls. And exhibitions by homegrown painters, sculptors, woodworkers and potters will challenge the way we look at life and everyday objects.

There’s a lot of good stuff heading our way in what amounts to the art season’s second act. Here’s a look at what you can expect.

“Oklahoma!,” March 15-17 and 22-23. Set in 1906 in an Indian territory of the American West during the time when Oklahoma was established as a state, the classic musical is the story of Laurey and the two rivals for her affections: Curly, a cowboy, and Jud, the hired farmhand.

“I Love You; You’re Perfect; Now Change,” Feb. 1-3 and 8-10. Four actors take on the lives of more than 20 characters facing the trials and tribulations of dating, mating and marriage. Parents who talk baby talk, men who talk and women who pretend to listen, infidelity and the injustice of long lines for the ladies room are some of the issues skewed in the musical review.

“The Importance of Being Earnest,” Feb. 7-10 and 14-16. In this romantic comedy, set in late 19th century England, men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities—not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen’s mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell.

“The Dixie Swim Club,” April 4-7 and 11-13. Five southern women, whose friendships began years ago on their college swim team, set aside a weekend every August to recharge those relationships. When fate throws a wrench into one of their lives, the friends rally around their own with the strength and love that takes this comedy in a poignant and surprising direction.

“The Whipping Man,” Feb. 20-March 9. A Jewish Confederate soldier returns home to find only rubble and two former slaves. As these men reunite to celebrate Passover, they uncover a web of secrets that could cost each man more than just his freedom.

“The Foreigner,” through Feb. 10. Charlie Baker, a proofreader by day and a boring husband by night, adopts the persona of a foreigner who doesn’t understand English. When others begin to speak freely around him, he not only becomes privy to secrets both dangerous and frivolous, he also discovers an adventurous extrovert within himself.

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” March 22-April 7. The dark comedy follows husband and wife George and Martha in a searing night of dangerous fun and games. By the evening’s end, a stunning revelation provides a shocking climax.

Music. All Concerts held in the Basilica. Concerts begin at 8 p.m. unless indicated otherwise. Admission is free, donations accepted.

William Lawing, trumpet, Jan. 31. Lawing, a solo, chamber and symphonic musician, has performed with the Charlotte Symphony, the Winston-Salem Symphony, Charlotte Pops and the Davidson College Symphony Orchestra. His solo career has centered on the literature of the Baroque era.

The Pilgrim’s Way, April 22. The music ensemble Carolina Pro Musica completes its season with an updated version of one of the most requested programs in their repertoire - songs about Virgin Mary through the eyes of pilgrims in medieval Spain.

Spring concert, 3 p.m. April 28. Abbey Chorus and instrumental students perform sacred and secular works in a variety of musical styles.

Abbey Players. Performances at 8 p.m. in Haid Theatre.

“The Diviners,” Feb. 14-16 and 21-23. The drama tracks the friendship between a disturbed young man and a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930s.

“As You Like It,” April 18-20 and 25-27. As the characters converge on the Forest of Arden in this Shakespearean romantic comedy, love is sparked between Orlando and Rosalind. But what Orlando doesn’t know is that Rosalind has disguised herself as a boy so that she can give Orlando advice about wooing Rosalind.

Andy Offutt Irwin, Jan. 15. Irwin is a storyteller, humorist, singer, songwriter, musician, whistler and a walking menagerie of sound effects and dialects. He is known for relating the adventures of his 85-year-old widowed-newly-minted-physician aunt Marguerite Van Camp.

The Water Coolers, Jan. 26. The New York-based music and comedy group satirically celebrates the things folks experience in everyday life: work, kids, marriage and trying to balance it all. Think “Seinfeld” set to music.

Page 3 of 8 - “The True Story of The Three Little Pigs,” Feb. 7. The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Tarradiddle Players perform this rock musical that picks up where the children’s tale leaves off. Three pigs build houses; the one who builds his house out of brick doesn’t get eaten by the Big Bad Wolf and lives to tell the tale. But is it the whole truth? After Alexander T. Wolf tells his side of the story, the audience becomes the jury and decides his fate.

“The Marvelous Wonderettes,” Feb. 19. The musical takes audiences back to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where the Wonderettes lives and loves are explored. The show features more than 20 hits from the ’50s and ’60s, including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover” and “It’s My Party.”

Celtic Crossroads, Mar. 7. The live concert features traditional Irish musicians performing handed down tunes in tribute to their relatives and their country.

“Sister Act,” Jan. 8-13. The musical tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in a convent.

“Les Miserables,” Feb. 12-17. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, the epic musical is about ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole. When Valjean agrees to care for a factory worker’s young daughter, his life is forever changed.

“Wicked,” March 13-31. Story of how two girls in the land of Oz – one born with emerald green skin, the other beautiful, ambitious and popular – grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Broadway Extras

“American Idiot,” March 8-10. Based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album and featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the title track, the musical tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.

Women Together Featuring Jeanne Robertson, Feb. 2. Author Jeanne Robertson specializes in humor based on life experiences, which include being a 6-foot 2-inch Miss North Carolina winner. Robertson can be heard daily on Sirius XM Radio’s Laugh USA.

Travis Powell and the EAS Band, Feb. 16. The Elvis Presley tribute band will pay tribute to Elvis Presley and his famous “Aloha From Hawaii Show.”

Dailey & Vincent, Feb. 23. The debut album by Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, “Dailey & Vincent,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart in 2008. It was named Album of the Year, one of seven awards the group took home at the 2008 International Bluegrass Music Awards Show.

Delbert McClinton, March 9. The singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player won Grammys in 1991 for his duet with Bonnie Raitt, “Good Man, Good Woman” and 2006 for his album “The Cost of Living.” His “B Movie Boxcar Blues” was used in the 1980 movie “The Blues Brothers.”

Page 5 of 8 - “101 Years of Broadway,” April 20. The musical revue recreates memorable moments from some of the most well-known Broadway shows of the century, including “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Evita,” “Wonderful Town,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Theatre for Young Audiences Series

“Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi,” Feb. 26. Selected scenes from “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” will introduce young audience members to characters from Mark Twain’s most famous novels.

“Charlotte’s Web,” March 6. The play explores the friendship between a pig named Wilber and a little gray spider named Charlotte.

MUSIC

GASTON CONCERT ASSOCIATION

Details: 704-867-7166.

Four Voices, Jan. 19, First Presbyterian Church, 1621 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. The singers and their accompanist all have ties to the region. Dr. Susan Ali, alto, is an assistant professor of music at Gardner-Webb University. Serobina Garris, soprano, is a general music specialist in Mooresville. Michael Martinez, baritone, is the chorus director at Crest High School in Shelby. Brandon Nicholson, tenor, is a member of the Charlotte Symphony Singers Main Chorus and Oratorio Singers Chamber Chorus. The singers will be accompanied by Timothy Belk, director of music ministries and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia.

The Abrams Brothers, Feb. 22, First Presbyterian Church, 1621 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. The trio of teenagers from Canada combines the sounds of Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie in their country-flavored music. Fourth-generation musicians Elijah, John and James Abrams have already appeared at the Grand Ole Opry.

GASTON CHORAL SOCIETY

Details: thegcs.nc@gmail.com, www.gastonchoralsociety.org. .

“Forty-Five Years Young,” May 18, location TBA. The group will celebrate its 45th anniversary. Past members will also be featured in an alumni chorus.

18th Annual Treasures of the Earth Pottery Show and Sale, Feb. 7-Mar. 6. Exhibit features the works of more than 25 local and regional artists and includes sculpture and pottery in a variety of styles.

“Create Your Own Scream!,” Jan. 19. Local folk artist Randall Jones will discuss artist Edward Munch and his famous painting, “Scream.” Then, guided by Jones, kids will create their own version of Munch’s work using crayon on cardboard. RSVP required.

Page 7 of 8 - Music at the Depot – Michael Reno Harrell, Feb. 15. Harrell is an award winning songwriter, veteran storyteller and entertainer from the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

“Self-Portraits: Artwork by Kenneth Asbury,” through Feb. 9. An exhibition of work by Kenneth Asbury, a fine arts major at Gaston College and a Mount Holly native.

“Pictures of Nothing: Why Abstract Art?,” Feb. 16. A discussion of famed artist Jackson Pollock, “Lavender Mist,” one of his most famous paintings and the fascination with abstract art. RSVP required.

Moonshine Program, Feb. 23. Central Piedmont Community College and Belmont Abbey College instructor Mike Baxter discusses the history of moonshine and whiskey production in Gaston County.

“Moonshine,” through March 9. Exhibit explores the long standing history of whiskey making in Gaston County and North Carolina, the legal and illegal aspects of whiskey production through the years and stories from both moonshiners and the men that tried to catch them.

“Coffee with the Curator,” 10:30-11:30 a.m., first Wednesday of every month. Museum staff will identify objects and provide preservation assistance on pieces brought by visitors. Three-item limit.

“Toddler Tuesday,” 10-11 a.m., fourth Tuesday of every month. Programs will vary each month but will relate back to art or history and may include a story, art project, craft, song or tour of a part of the museum. Free to members; $2 per child others.

“The Ties that Bind,” ongoing. Permanent Carolinas textiles exhibit.

“Daniel Stowe Carriage House,” ongoing. The largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles exhibited in North Carolina.

“Hoffman Hotel,” ongoing. Restored parlors and hotel rooms give an idea of what it was like to stay in a 19th century hotel room.

Gaston Regional Science Fair: Public Viewing, Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Original projects demonstrating independent scientific research by local high school students and exhibits promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers by event corporate sponsors.

“A Natural View,” Feb. 8-March 24. Exhibition features works by local artists centered on the theme of nature. The Gaston County Art Guild cosponsors the exhibit.

Programs and events.

Free Tuesday, Jan. 8 and Feb. 12. Enjoy a late afternoon at the museum free of charge. All of the museum’s exhibits and Nature Trail will be available for exploration.

Reptiles Around the World, Jan. 12. Learn about snakes, lizards, turtles and other reptiles from across the world and see live reptiles.

Nature Journaling for All Ages, Jan. 21. The free program will provide participants with the basics of starting a nature journal.

Collections & Research: Behind the Scenes, Feb. 2. Examine rare items usually not on display and visit with museum curators to learn about current projects in Research and Collections.

Page 8 of 8 - Fossil Workshop for Teachers, Feb. 16. Learn about different fossils and hands-on activities that can be integrated into classrooms.

“The Birth of Coffee.” The internationally travelling photographic exhibition offers an understanding of the many people, places and processes involved in bringing coffee to our hands.

“Nano.” The interactive mini exhibition engages audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology.

“Strange Matter,” opens Jan. 26. Hands-on exhibit uses science to explore the bizarre world of modern materials and offers a glimpse into where the future might take us.